This law section provides definitions for terms related to the regulation of drugs used in animals. A 'medically important antimicrobial drug' is a specific antibiotic listed in a federal FDA guidance, which can be updated over time. 'Livestock' refers to animals like poultry and aquatic species raised for profit, but not pets or bees. Finally, 'veterinary feed directive' refers to a federal regulation describing how veterinarians can authorize the use of certain drugs in animal feed.

Starting January 1, 2018, livestock can't be given medically important antimicrobial drugs unless a licensed veterinarian prescribes them. This must be done through a prescription or veterinary feed directive, and there must be an established veterinarian-client-patient relationship following specific legal requirements.

This law, effective January 1, 2018, regulates the use of medically important antimicrobial drugs in livestock. It allows the use of these drugs if a licensed veterinarian deems it necessary for treating or controlling disease, or during surgery. The law also permits the use of antibiotics as a preventative measure if there's a high risk of infection. However, it prohibits using these drugs solely to promote weight gain or improve feed efficiency in livestock and prevents their regular use unless for treatment purposes outlined in the law.

This law allows retailers, who are properly licensed, to sell medically important antimicrobial drugs if they have a prescription or a veterinary feed directive from a licensed veterinarian. It emphasizes that this does not remove the necessity to have a prescription or directive to actually use these drugs. Additionally, the department has the authority to create regulations to enforce this law.

This law requires the development of guidelines for veterinarians and livestock owners on how to properly use important antimicrobial drugs. The goal is to treat, control, and prevent diseases in animals while minimizing drug use. It emphasizes finding alternatives such as vaccines and better management practices. The department must work with experts and stakeholders to ensure efficient access to treatment, especially in rural areas. 'Antimicrobial stewardship' involves using drugs only when absolutely necessary, choosing the right drug and dosage, and limiting the treatment duration and number of animals treated.

This law aims to improve the understanding of how antibiotic usage in livestock is linked to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The California department is instructed to work with federal agencies to monitor and gather data on this issue. They should coordinate efforts to avoid duplicating existing federal monitoring systems and collect samples from key livestock and food production areas in California.

The department will engage livestock producers and veterinarians while respecting confidentiality laws. They're required to report to the Legislature on their efforts by 2019 and assess data sufficiency. Funding from various sources will be sought, and regulations may be established to support this initiative.

This law gives the department the power to ask for and obtain copies of veterinary feed directives from livestock owners, veterinarians, or distributors to ensure compliance with the rules in this chapter.

This law says that any information shared under this chapter and Section 14902.5 must remain confidential. It can't be given to anyone or any agency, except the department or the Veterinary Medical Board, for the purpose of enforcing the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act. The only exception is if the information is aggregated in a way that hides the identity of specific farms or businesses. The data can also be shared with federal agencies provided it's protected by a specific federal law from 2002.

If someone breaks the rules in this chapter, they can be fined up to $250 per day of the violation.

If it's your second or more offense, the fine increases to $500 per day. Also, you will need to complete an educational program about the proper use of important antimicrobial drugs within 90 days.

Veterinarians are an exception and instead might face discipline under a different set of rules if they break their professional code. The money from these fines goes into a special fund for agricultural purposes.